UNA-UK

UK action. Stronger UN. Better world.

You are here: UNA-UK and its groups across the country celebrate UN Day

24 October 2018

Happy UN Day! On this day in 1945 the UN Charter entered into force, and with it, the United Nations was born.

We are delighted that so many of our local groups around Britain are using the anniversary to remind their communities of the enduring critical role the UN plays, day-in day-out, in creating a safer, fairer, more sustainable world. UNA-UK will be holding its own UN Day celebration in partnership with the Canadian High Commission, where we will be bestowing the Sir Brian Urquhart Award to Dr Purna Sen, UN Women's Executive Coordinator and Spokesperson on Sexual Harassment and Other Forms of Discrimination. The full write-up will follow.

The UN's chief, António Guterres, said in a poignant UN day message that, despite the catastrophic problems the international community is grappling with, the United Nations "will not give up". Here is an excerpt (the full message can be watched below):

Climate change is moving faster than we are, but we don’t give up because we know that climate action is the only path.

Human rights are being violated in so many places. But we don’t give up because we know respect for human rights and human dignity is a basic condition for peace.

Conflicts are multiplying - people are suffering. But we don’t give up because we know every man, woman and child deserves a life of peace.